Study on the efficacy of harmful weed species Eicchornia crassipes for soil reinforcement

Abstract

Growing awareness of sustainability in construction has increased attention toward increase in use of natural fibers for soil reinforcement applications. Researchers have explored the utility of natural limited life fibers such as jute, reed and sisal for soil reinforcement. In this study, an attempt was made to demonstrate the use of local weed named water hyacinth (Eicchornia crassipes) as soil reinforcement. A series of unconfined compression strength (UCS) tests was conducted on silty sand reinforced with randomly distributed fiber. These series of tests aim to study influence of different fiber content, soil density and moisture content. The stress–strain response of fiber reinforced soil shows the increase in post peak strength and ductility. This was mainly attributed due to presence of cellulose content. The effect of soil density on increased strength due to inclusion of fiber is significant in case of lower moisture content.